Jon Ciano has narrated 3 audiobooks on Listento.it by 2 authors. The most-rated is Floyd Harbor.
Duckweed Ethanol
Summary
The smallest flowering plant, on Earth, is one of the most powerful, and widespread: duckweed. Usually, considered a nuisance, duckweed, upon close examination, is an impressive crop, in photosynthetic value. Ethanol, an industry dominated by the Corn Industry (King Corn), faces many challenges, including large water draws, rising fertilizer costs, large diesel fuel bills, and unintended impacts on Food markets. Corn, as a choice for ethanol production, pits food, versus fuel, for agricultural resources, increasing stresses between fundamental markets. An ideal source of biomass, for ethanol production, would not be a food crop, rather, a waste-crop. King Corn, dominates current domestic ethanol production markets, worth billions, each year. Supported with Federal Farm Subsidies, worth billions of dollars annually, the corn industry dictates the US ethanol markets, using Corn as the principle feedstock crop. At first glance, Corn, is an odd choice for ethanol production. Corn, began as a wild seed crop, domesticated by ancient man. Before the modern age, thousands of years of selective breeding, produced a Corn rich in proteins, and high in nutritional value. Modern Corn, has been engineered to go "the other direction," and reduce Corn's Protein, and increase Corn's Starch (Carbohydrate) production. The "Starch" in corn, is used for Ethanol production, and other by-products, such as Corn Syrup, and Distillers Dried Grains and Solubles (DDGS). Duckweed, is a choice for bulk biomass, which offers significant advantages over corn. Duckweed advantages include, lower energy costs, lower water resources, lower fertilizer costs, doesn't require valuable farmland, doesn't compete in Food markets, has higher Starch yield, per acre. Duckweed, in a controlled environment, can be grown, year round, and in diverse locations.
©2014 Christopher Kinkaid (P)2014 Christopher Kinkaid
Toxic Algae
Summary
Toxic Algae is an epidemic threatening natural waterways locally, and globally. Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB) are an explosive growth of photosynthetic organisms in a body of water which can harm amphibians, fish, wildlife, pets, and human health by producing dangerous toxins. Fresh water systems such as ponds, lakes, rivers, and reservoirs are under assault from many directions increasing chemical imbalance stressing the aquatic water systems ability to stay in healthy balance. Toxic Algae in Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB) are an increasing threat to waterways throughout the country, and are reported with greater frequency in all 50 states. The water quality of our Ponds, Lakes, Rivers, and Reservoirs are of prime importance to local communities, and the general health of local environments and ecosystems globally. Used for recreation, and as a food source for millions of people worldwide, healthy waterways are vital for ecosystems and people everywhere. Cyanobacteria are a photosynthetic bacteria which is normally a very productive part of the aquatic ecosystem. However, when Cyanobacteria and Algae "Break bad" then very harmful toxins can be produced by some species which can be highly dangerous. Stressed from nutrient loading events such as a storm run-off, natural water bodies are being stressed to the point of imbalance introducing invasive species - including Toxic Algae. Cyanobacteria (called a Blue-Green Algae) are a type of photosynthetic bacteria. When a pond, lake, stream, river, or other water body experiences a nutrient loading event conditions can trigger an algal bloom which may result in a Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB). This Audiobook describes the conditions which trigger Harmful Algal Blooms, and how they can be treated, and prevented, in Ponds, Lakes, Rivers, and Reservoirs.
©2014 Christopher Kinkaid (P)2015 Christopher Kinkaid
Floyd Harbor
Summary
“Floyd Harbor brings to mind Denis Johnson and Irvine Welsh, though it’s also as moving and ecstatic as the early songs of Bruce Springsteen.” (Zachary Lazar, author of Vengeance) "Mowdy’s gritty debut collection of linked stories is set in a rundown community on eastern Long Island, with characters struggling to overcome poverty and trauma." (New York Times Book Review, New & Noteworthy) Set largely in the 1990s, the 12 linked stories in Joel Mowdy’s first book take place in and around Mastic Beach, a community on New York’s Long Island that’s close to the wealthy Hamptons but afflicted by widespread poverty. Mostly in their teens and early 20s, the characters struggle to become independent in various ways, ranging from taking typical low-paying jobs - hotel laundry, janitorial, restaurant, and landscaping work - to highly ingenious schemes, to exchanging sexual favors for a place to stay. A few make it to local community colleges; others end up in rehab or juvenile detention centers. However loving, their parents can offer little help. Those who are Vietnam veterans may suffer from PTSD; others may bear the addictions that often come with stressful lives. Neighborhoods of small bungalows - formerly vacation homes - with dilapidated boats in the driveways hint at the waterways that open up close by. The beauty of the ocean beach offer further consolation, as does the often high-spirited temperament of youth. Joel Mowdy brings to his affecting collection both personal experience and a gift for discerning and lingering on the essential moments in his characters’ stories. He intimately and vividly illuminates American lives that too seldom see the light.
©2019 Joel Mowdy (P)2020 Audible, Inc.